Spring is happening! Slowly the days are getting less blustery and the green is returning to our pastures. Let the real shedding begin! You and your horse may not be feeling or looking your most spiffy but there’s no time like the present to start pulling your act together for the nicer riding weather to come! Our challenge this month is to look around at upcoming horse events in the area, especially educational opportunities. Make it a commitment to attending a clinic, lesson or lecture that is in some way horse related.
Some Options
For myself, I attending the Horse World Expo in Harrisburg PA last month. This expo and others like it run literally dozens of clinics and demonstrations to spectate. An expo is a great opportunity to observe riders and trainers who are nationally and even internationally known. They are definitely worth the time and entry fee when they are available. Unfortunately these big organized events are few and far between. However many stables and local trainers are scheduling their first clinics for the season right about now as well.
Whether you have the means to trailer your horse or not, find a clinic nearby and go! You may have to pay a small audit fee even if you are unable to bring your horse to actively participate but the information that can be gleaned from intently listening and watching can be just as valuable as a riding experience. Take one or two really good tid-bits and try them at home. If clinics are truly unavailable to you then I have an even easier option – go take a lesson, or a series of lessons with a trainer near you. Basically, I want everyone to get out of our comfort zones and usual routines. Go hear a new perspective or get a fresh set of eyes on your riding!
If you are not sure where to look for local events you can start by finding a local riding club, or perhaps even a facebook group. I have also known many barns and trainers to advertise their events through Strider. Registration for shows and clinics nationwide can be found on this site!
Why do a clinic? You may ask…
Because the horse world may feel small in your area – everyone knows everyone, but it’s really, really big when you start looking around a bit. There are so many disciplines and breeds and vocations to be learned about. And you know that annoying little, or maybe big thing your horse does and you just can’t seem to fix it? I guarantee someone out there has figured out how to solve that problem – and they might just teach you if you go looking for help. Who knows what doors will open when you knock…
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